Mary Lou (Petznick) Gorte, 74, a resident of rural Manitowoc, entered eternal life with family by her side on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at her home.
Mary was born on April 23, 1950, in Manitowoc to the late Robert and Ethel Mae (Waak) Petznick. She was born again in Christ in Holy Baptism along with her twin sister Martha on May 14, 1950 at First German Ev. Lutheran Church, Manitowoc. After graduating from First German Ev. Lutheran School, Mary went on to graduate from Manitowoc Lutheran High School with the class of 1968. She then went to college for several years before she married the love of her life, Fred Gorte, on July 15, 1972 at First German Ev. Lutheran Church. Together they spent 52 years sharing their lives and raising a family.
Mary wore many hats throughout her life — helping at her grandparent’s grocery store (Waak’s Clover Farm), working in retail and banking, all while being a dedicated housewife and raising four children. She was the life of any party and enjoyed getting together with friends and family; whether enjoying sock hops or Trivia parties, Mary was a social person that enjoyed hosting parties.
Survivors include Mary’s husband of 52 years, Fred; four children, Rev. Michael (Becky) Gorte, Kenosha; Gretchen (Jason Speck) Gorte, Albuquerque, NM; Christopher (Bobbi) Gorte, Omro; and Amanda (Mike) Manders, Germantown. Her pride and joy were her granddaughters: Alyssa, Rachel and Hannah Gorte, Brielle and Avery Gorte, Raegan and Adelyn Manders. She is further survived by three sisters, Linae (Bonnie Ewald) Day, Cynthia (Phil) Nass, and Martha (Dick) Ewald; sister-in-law, Christine Voigt; two brothers-in-law, Richard Gorte and Raymond (Denise) Gorte; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Ethel Mae Petznick; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Adeline Gorte; sister-in-law, Betty Gorte; and brother-in-law, Victor Voigt.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 7531 English Lake Road, Manitowoc. Rev. Micah Martin will officiate with burial to follow at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Mary’s life during the visitation on Thursday, March 6, 2025 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church from 9:00 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Mary’s name to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church or Manitowoc Lutheran High School.
The family would like to thank the entire staff at DaVita Dialysis and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for all the care and compassion they provided.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Claire streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
